Erica Dawn (Keyes) Mourning

Dr. Erica "Quack" Mourning 49, of Blounts Creek, NC, passed away on Friday, October, 4, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

The Life & Legacy of Dr. Erica Mourning

Erica Dawn Keyes Mourning was born on July 15, 1975, in Washington, North Carolina to the late Melvin Earl Keyes Sr. and Minnie Pearl Moore. 

Erica completed her formal education in the Beaufort County School System, graduating from Aurora High School in Aurora, North Carolina, in 1993. She went on to attend East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2000. In 2006, she received a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Scranton University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Erica continued her academic journey and achieved her Doctorate of Education from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2014.   

 Erica accepted Christ at a young age and was a devoted member of Ware Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Blounts Creek, North Carolina. There, she served as both a minister and a Bible study instructor. On October 1, 2023, she was ordained as a minister. Erica had a deep passion for studying God's Word and was committed to growing her relationship with Him each day. 

Through her union with Dion Mourning, she was blessed with three children -- Melvin, Kyajia, and Xavien, for whom she created a home full of endless love, joy, and warmth. 

 Erica worked as a college professor at Western Governors University for nine years. Prior to that, she spent several years teaching 6th grade English and Social Studies before becoming an assistant principal at Grover C. Fields Middle School in New Bern, North Carolina, where she dedicated a total of 15 years to the school. 

In her free time, Erica loved cooking, farming, and spending time with her family. She also enjoyed traveling to watch her niece and nephew’s basketball games. She was a gifted coach, a motivational speaker, and a teacher who inspired many.  

On Friday, October 4, 2024, Erica Mourning peacefully received her heavenly wings and entered into eternal rest. 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Minnie Pearl Moore; her father, Melvin Earl Keyes Sr.; and her brother, Melvin Earl Keyes Jr. Erica leaves behind her cherished memories with her husband, Dion Mourning, and their three children: Melvin Keyes, Kyajia Mourning, and Xavien Mourning. She is also survived by her two sisters, Danita Spear (LeRonne Spear) of The Colony, Texas, and Carol Sanders of Greenville, North Carolina, along with a large, loving family of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Heavenly Arms Family Mortuary & Cremation Services, 906 W. 15th Street Washington, NC 27889

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